Begala says election about "ideas" not "insults"

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, October 30) -- White House Senior Advisor Paul Begala tells CNN that the White House believes Tuesday's election will be about "ideas and issues not insults."

Begala criticized Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich saying it is "frankly
shocking that Speaker Gingrich wants to spend all of his time orchestrating
attack ads attacking the president personally."

Begala added that Republican Senator Alfonse D'Amato of New York "epitomizes the negative politics" that he believes the voters will reject Tuesday. He said "soon to be elected Senator Schumer", referring to D'Amato's Democratic opponent Rep. Charles Schumer, is focused on the issues and not politics.

Begala said he feels Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California will be re-elected based on her record.